I'm Forrest. Forrest Gump. Pt. 8 of 8

I think I must be a real life ‘Forrest Gump,’ or the closest thing to it.

I mean, really. At least in relation to

…the series of strange, and famous liaisons which began in the late 60’s, and stretched over the course of the next several decades. Well, to use the word ‘liaison’ may be too strong an implication, since most of the series of events were not exactly planned.

Frances Langford, the WWII era movie actress, songster, and USO performer, was my dad’s second cousin. Their grandparents were half-brother and half-sister. (My dad once told me that John, Rhoenia’s brother, rode from southern Georgia to central Florida on horseback in the second half of the 19^th century to see his sister).

When I was in Valdosta, visiting with my aunt, my dad’s 1^st cousin, Sonny McDonald, came by her house, and I struck up a conversation with him.

“Sonny, I understand Frances Langford was your second cousin;” (which he affirmed with a nod).

And I continued,

“My dad told me that he once saw her perform in Hawaii during WWII, but didn’t bother to introduce himself.”

Sonny piped up. “Well, I didn’t exactly meet her either, but I saw her. I was in the same room with her. You see, my dad drove me down to Lakeland once since he got a hankering to see his first cousin, Vasco, Frances’ father.

I was maybe five or six, and while I was playing with my toy soldiers in the living room, a young lady walked through, and almost immediately out the front door. I learned later that this was cousin Frances. By this time she had already made a few movies, and was a star. Later, during WWII, she did lots of USO shows for the military, and, of course, she was Bob Hope’s female ‘side kick’ at the time.”

I had always wanted to talk to a family member who had actually spoken to, or seen Frances. I’m glad I had that unexpected opportunity. 

It would not present itself again.


By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 19. Copyright pending

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I'm Forrest. Forrest Gump. Pt. 7 of 8

I think I must be a real life ‘Forrest Gump,’ or the closest thing to it.

I mean, really. At least in relation to

…the series of strange, and famous liaisons which began in the late 60’s, and stretched over the course of the next several decades. Well, to use the word ‘liaison’ may be too strong an implication, since most of the series of events were not exactly planned.

I grew up watching a real-life husband-wife duo on black & white television in their portrayal of an old west husband-wife, cowboy-cowgirl duo by the same names. I will always remember my favorite Saturday hero and heroine, and that fast-paced, dramatic ‘shoot ‘em up, save the city from the bad guys’ portrayal.

In actuality, Roy and Dale were wonderful Christian people, and though they owned a western ranch which was populated by horses and cows, to my knowledge they never shot anyone, and their time was more taken up with making movies and their appearances at fund-raising events, than saving the old west from bad guys.

Fast forward several decades

I suppose it was the late 80’s or early 90’s, and my wife and I learned that my favorite western heroine, (minus my favorite western hero) would be speaking at an evangelical church in the central Florida area in which we reside. Of course, I would not be denied.

The day dawned bright and clear, and I was looking forward to sitting in the audience of someone with whom I had devoted so many hours of my childhood; (though my name and face might easily have escaped her).

As Jean and I walked into the large, aluminum conference hall, (for the building doubled as a Christian retreat center and a church) I noticed that the first row, left was almost devoid of people. (What a deal. What a deal). You guessed it. My wife and I headed for the first row, left, and ‘staked our claim;’ (as one of the characters on their old television series might have alluded to it).


Within minutes Mrs. Dale Evans Rogers found her way to the podium, and proceed to speak. I don’t mind telling you, she just seemed so ‘there there,’ common, and personable in real life, and not at all like the television and movie personality of whom I was so thoroughly familiar. And while I cannot tell you, at this juncture, what topic this good lady spoke to that day, it was a privilege and a pleasure to sit no more than ten feet from the cowgirl, who along with her own cowboy, Roy, saved the old west. (At least, as far as I was concerned at the time).

My only regret, (and I cannot account for it) is that I allowed that magic moment to come and go without having spoken to one of my favorite childhood television personalities, and without having procured her autograph.

Dale Evans Rogers has gone on to her reward now, and I am approaching a comparable age to her own; when she spoke to the overflow crowd that day.

Some opportunities present themselves once, and never come again. This was one of those golden opportunities which slipped from my grasp, or I it, and which represents one of my most profound regrets.

 By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 19. Copyright pending

If you would like to copy, save or share this blog, please include the credit line, above
***************
If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015, do the following: Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. 

When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All of my 2015 blog titles will come up in the index.

I'm Forrest. Forrest Gump. Pt. 6 of 8

I think I must be a real life ‘Forrest Gump,’ or the closest thing to it.

I mean, really. At least in relation to
…the series of strange, and famous liaisons which began in the late 60’s, and stretched over the course of the next several decades. Well, to use the word ‘liaison’ may be too strong an implication, since most of the series of events were not exactly planned.
Back in 2008, when I and another cousin, Kimberly, meticulously planned a grave marking ceremony for our Scottish immigrant, Revolutionary War ancestor, well, I can tell you we “didn’t miss a beat.” Literally, hundreds of hours were poured into the construction of that ceremony. By the time we finished our figurative blueprint, and the invitations had gone out, it was a regular Rembrandt.
However, I can tell you, readers, that there’s can be a huge difference between a blueprint, and a completed building.
A blueprint is only a theory,
… until the building is raised on the site.
But to return to my story…
November 1, 2008 dawned,
and a couple hundred McDonald descendants appeared (Check)
Each and every one of the planned speakers showed up (Check)
Representatives of the Georgia Sons of the American Revolution
in period uniform graced us with their presence (Check)
The still and video photographers were right on time (Check)
And Bagpipers “dressed to the hilt” in kilts (Check)
The Boy Scout troop with their pre-selected bugler filed onto the cemetery grounds (Check)
Why, even Sonny Schroyer, (“Enos” of “The Dukes of Hazzard”) graced us with his presence (No Check required, since his appearance was an unexpected treat). He lives in the area, and counts a couple of my relatives, his friends.
But since too many participants, too much geographical distance, and too much required time precluded a dry run, in the few minutes I had available before the ceremony commenced, I provided my participants a few last minute instructions.
And then it began,
… and then it began to “go wrong.”
Well, to say it went wrong would be a gross exaggeration, since to be fair, there were only a couple of obvious mistakes in an otherwise flawless ceremony. And it goes without saying that when you’re involved with turning blueprints into buildings, any conscientious architect is sensitive about millimeters, turning into feet.
And when I say it went wrong, it was, paradoxically, the one ingredient which should NOT have gone wrong, and in which I might have invested the most confidence.
For when our “seasoned” bagpipers proceeded to “strut their stuff,” (who had, I’d been informed, participated in dozens of such commemorative ceremonies) their kilts and pipes figuratively, (if not literally)
… unraveled at the seams.
“Danny Boy”???
(They might just as well be playing, “Jingle Bells”)
and the (not so) amazing rendition of,
“Amazing Grace."
(A tone-deaf nuclear bombardier wearing earmuffs might have paused to shake his head in disbelief).
And I, “Mr. Structure,” himself, was absolutely mortified as the pipers piped their way through instrumentations which should have been the most familiar of all selections to folks who play the pipes.
But upon reflection, when I consider the depth and breadth of a ceremony which required an hour, I suppose a scant fraction of the elapsed time having been disrupted by the horrendous interpretation of two songs isn’t all that significant.
I can tell you, I was my own worst critic that day.

And so it is, I think, with all of life.

(Please don't miss the one paragraph in this blog in which I mention the 'Guest Appearance' of, well, I'll let you locate it).

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 19. Copyright pending

If you would like to copy, save or share this blog, please include the credit line, above
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If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015, do the following: Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. 

When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All of my 2015 blog titles will come up in the index.
 

I'm Forrest. Forrest Gump. Pt. 5 of 8

I think I must be a real life ‘Forrest Gump,’ or the closest thing to it

I mean, really. At least in relation to

…the series of strange, and famous liaisons which began in the late 60’s, and stretched over the course of the next several decades. Well, to use the word ‘liaison’ may be too strong an implication, since most of the series of events were not exactly planned.

Sometime in the mid to late 80’s, I pulled my UPS truck up to the back door of a sports shop at the Winter Haven Mall in order to make a delivery there. As I exited, and pushed my hand cart up to that rear portal, a late model sedan pulled up beside me, and a middle-aged lady exited the vehicle.

At this point, I don’t recall our conversation, but to be sure the woman informed me that she was none other than Cornelia Ellis Wallace, the ex-wife of the former governor, and presidential candidate, Alabama’s George Wallace. It seems she was well-acquainted with the owner of the store, and had stopped by to see him.

Cornelia attracted national attention on May 15, 1972 when she threw herself over her husband, George, after his having been shot four times during an assassination attempt in Maryland. At that time, Governor Wallace was promoting his bid for his party’s presidential nomination. Who can forget that poignant video segment which was highlighted on all the national news broadcasts?

Mrs. Wallace ran for governor of the State of Alabama in 1978, but did little active campaigning and finished last among thirteen candidates for the Democratic nomination.

As it fell together, one of my counseling clients attended the same church Ms. Wallace attended, and several years after I first met her, my client procured Ms. Wallace’ autograph for me. She succumbed to cancer in 2009.

My chance meeting and brief conversation with the illustrious Cornelia Wallace, at the back door of a mall sports shop, is among the most memorable of my life.


By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 19. Copyright pending

If you would like to copy, save or share this blog, please include the credit line, above
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If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015, do the following: 
 

Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the index

I'm Forrest. Forrest Gump. Pt. 4 of 8

I think I must be a real life ‘Forrest Gump,’ or the closest thing to it.

I mean, really. At least in relation to

…the series of strange, and famous liaisons which began in the late 60’s, and stretched over the course of the next several decades. Well, to use the word ‘liaison’ may be too strong an implication, since most of the series of events were not exactly planned.

I will never forget Andy Bos; a 90+ year old man who attended our local church, and who happened to be the great grandfather of the well-known television and movie star, Taylor Lautner; (who has just completed the popular Twilight film series).

Time would fail me to provide you an understanding of the quality and quantity of Andy’s life and spirituality. Suffice it to say that he was a wonderful man who was taken up with Jesus Christ, his Savior, and looked forward to his long-awaited home in heaven. (In the last few days of his life, it was my distinct privilege to stand by his bed, and sing a couple of hymns to him. 

And as I did what I could to make his final journey easier, Andy raised his frail hands and whispered, 

“Hallelujah. Hallelujah.”)

A year or two prior to my friend’s death, I was provided the opportunity to teach a couple of Wednesday night series at my church, and Andy was faithful to attend. It happens that all our services are taped, and Mr. Bos made me aware that he always made a point to pick up one of my teaching cd’s at the end of each of my presentations. 

More than once as I was chatting with him, Andy would smile and say,

“Brother Royce, you know my grandson is the actor Taylor Lautner. I have been sending him copies of your Wednesday night messages.”

To which I, no doubt, responded,

“Well, I hope he takes time to listen to them.”

(And I truly hope he has taken time to both listen, and reflect on his eternal destiny).

On this side of heaven we will never fully realize the impact which we may, as believers, be afforded. 

Only eternity will tell the tale.


By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 19. Copyright pending

If you would like to copy, save or share this blog, please include the credit line, above
**************

If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015, do the following: 
 

Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the index